New De Bethune Horological Achievements

Aug 23, 2009

Tourbillon De Bethune
This year, De Bethune is proud to present its new outstanding creation – a tourbillion in silicon and titanium that is the lightest in the world.

The development of the tourbillion took the Manufacture over two years and a half. The tourbillion, with a frequency of 36,000 alternations per hour, boasts an innovative design, developed specifically for a wristwatch, while other tourbillons represent smaller variations of those used in pocket watches.

The form of the tourbillion makes one think of the exo-skeleton of an insect rather than of a mechanical timepiece. The structure of the cage is produced from silicon and titanium, rejecting the conventional bulky pillars, but incorporating a U and S-shaped frame, also used as the seconds hand for supreme lightness.

The escape wheel, the centre of the balance and the pallet cock are produced from silicon.

It is remarkable that the total weight of the tourbillon is 0.18 grams that is 4 times lighter than a traditional tourbillon, with the lightest part weighing less than 0.0001 gram. Nanotechnology and high speed 5-axis machining have been used for shaping all the tourbillon parts.

The "Tourbillon De Bethune" watch has been created in two variations. The first variation incorporates a silicon and platinum thermo-compensated balance to charm high-technology enthusiasts. The second variation incorporates the patented De Bethune titanium and platinum balance.

The tourbillion is housed in a 42,8mm platinum case with pivoting lugs. The titanium dial boasts a microlight effect, created using high-precision milling, then sanded and blued in an oven at a temperature reaching 750 degrees Celsius.

The timepiece is coupled with an alligator leather strap fitted with an ardillon buckle. It is 30-meter water-resistant.

De Bethune DBW1 The DBW1 is another exceptional timekeeping creation introduced by De Bethune this year.

You should agree to Watches.InfoNIAC.com that watch enthusiasts will be delighted both by the dial display and the back of the wristwatch. The dial reveals an annular balance in silicon, concealing the balance spring and serving as a mirror, absolutely unique in the world of watchmaking.

One more amazing peculiarity of the De Bethune watch is that it allows its wearer to adjust it personally to reflect one’s way of life. All you have to do is to press one of the two push-pieces found on the back of the timepiece, and adjust the watch’s rate to match the rhythm of your life.

This is a great technological achievement – by applying an external pressure, the heart of the timepiece is reached via a special system of reduction arms and levers so that the gesture is perfectly conveyed. Moreover, the extent of the adjustment is shown in red through a window in the back of the timepiece.

The DBW1 is animated by the hand-wound mechanical calibre DB2016. The 254-part movement offers 120 hours of power reserve.

The movement has a simple oscillator that is a true achievement in the horology world. The balance spring of the regulating organ is concealed to the eye within an annular balance that consists of a central silicon disc framed by a thin ring of polished platinum visible through the dial. The rhodium-plated and steel dial demonstrates matt, burnished and polished aspects, impressing by its play of light and shade.

The 42.8mm case crafted in platinum has pivoted lugs so it ideally follows the wrist shape. The timepiece
goes on an alligator leather strap fitted with an ardillon buckle.